Acceptant, approachable, interested, observant, unbiased, and understanding, are qualities that top the list of what one looks for when in the market for a psychologist. Dr. Cynthia Berrios-Reyes, Ph.D. is a personification of this list. She has 11 years of experience in the mental health field, in practice. As a teacher she has 14 years of experience and has taught at the University of Puerto Rico and at the Inter American University. In 2000 she received an award as Distinguished Professor: Rio Piedras Campus from the Center of Academic Excellence. In 2006 Dr. Berrios-Reyes started her private practice.

The doctor’s dependable side is tempered with a trailblazing nature, as she is a pioneer in the use of pet therapy. The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patients -people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally ill. Unlike people, with whom our interactions may be quite complex and unpredictable, animals provide a constant source of comfort and focus for attention. Animals bring out our nurturing instinct. They also make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted. Extending another boundary of her profession, Dr. Berrios-Reyes has first degree training in Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho. This is the Western system of Reiki, is used as a complementary and alternative form of healing, which moves healing energy through the palms. Practitioners of Reiki follow five ethical principles: Do not be angry, Do not worry, Be grateful, Work with integrity, Be kind to others. As for her academic training, she earned her Ph.D. and Bachleor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.

She uses other outlets to communicate her methods and ideas to a broader audience. Dr. Berrios-Reyes has been writing articles for a monthly newspaper called Mundo Natural, (Natural World) in the “Ombliguitos”, (”Little Navels:”) section since 2008. She is a Conference Speaker, and lectured on: ‘Pet Assisted Therapy,’ for Recreational Therapist Week (2008), and is a popular speaker at other events and expos.

Dr. Cynthia Berrios-Reyes believes in giving back to her community and puts this credo into action. She works as a Landscaping and Ornamentation Volunteer at the Juan B. Huyke Elementary School (2007-2008); and volunteers at the Integrated Services and Recovering Center, ASSMCA.

The good doctor lives in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico, a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico which borders the Atlantic Ocean. Carolina is known as “Tierra de Gigantes” (Land of Giants) not only for well-known Carolina resident Don Felipe Birriel González (who was 7′11″), but also in honor of other eminent people from Carolina such as poet Julia de Burgos and baseball player Roberto Clemente. This city is a short distance from San Juan, where she works. When at home she enjoys reading, listening to music, and cooking. Swimming is her favorite form of exercise. She also likes to get away from time to time and is fond of traveling.

Dr. Cynthia Berrios-Reyes, Ph.D. can be found on the Madison Who’s Who directory where she is looking forward to networking with you.